Centrifugal separating apparatus



Jne 23, 1931. H. L. MILLS CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1928 Patented June f7.3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY L. MILLS, F HARVEY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS CENTRIFUGAI'.. SEPARATING APPARATUS Application led May 28,

My invention relates to centrifugal separating apparatus and processes, and particularly to an apparatus and process of tins kind especially adapted for the separation of solid articles from air or gas.

One o the objects of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and efficient apparatus and rocess of the class specified.

Another o ject of the invention 1s to secure a high degree of effectiveness in the separating action.

Another object of the invention is to simplify the apparatus and process and thereby reduce the expense of construction and operation.

Another object of the invention is to arrange for the effective feeding of the stream or current of fluid to be separated to the machine or apparatus, and also to provide for the effective and efficient withdrawal of the separated elements.

Another object of the invention to reduce as much as possible, the friction of pperation of the machine, and also to eliminate, or sub stantially eliminate, friction in the operation of the process itself.

Other objects of the invention will and be pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a centrifugal apparatus embodying my invention and adapted to carry out the process of the invention; p

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 2-2 in 5 Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3 3 in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of o a modified .form of apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a similar section of another modification.

Referring first to the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated al casing or housing l which is understood to be suitably supported in any mechanical way, as by channel members 2. This housing 1 is preferably cylindrical in form and has a closed'top 3 and open bottom 4. Preferably 59 a hopper 5 is attached or secured to the lower appear 1928. Serial No. 281,073.

end of housing 1 and made conical in form and provided with a closing cap 7.

A pipe 8 is shown extending to the device and this pipe 8 ma be the inlet pipe for conveying the materlal to be separated, such for example, as a current or stream of air more or less laden with particles of dust or the like.

Vithin the housing 1 there is shown a rotary structure, in this case preferably consisting of an outer rotary member 9 and an inner rotary member 10. The outer rotary member 9 is preferably provided with a central tubular member or extension 11, and this may fit between the end of inlet pipe 8, so

that the oncoming stream or current of air or other uid may pass from pipe 8 into the interior of hollow rotary member 9, which latter is preferably provided with top and bottom members 12 and 13 respectively, making it a substantially closed member, except lfor the inlet opening by member 11 and certain outlet openings which will be hereafter referred to.

The inner rotary member 10 is also preferably cylindrical in form and provided with a closed top 14 and an open bottom 15, and this hollow rotary member 10 is preferably, arranged so that its closed upper end 14, is opposite inlet 11a, so that top 14 will serve as baie to deflect the incoming stream or current of air or other fluid outwardly toward the periphery of the outer member 9. Between the top 12 of the outer member 9 and top 14 of inner member 10, there is formed a space or passage 16 for the outward How or movement of the incoming stream, and bctween the side walls of outer member 9 and side walls of inner member 10, there is formed an annular passage 17 for the downward or axial movement or ow of the stream of material to be treatedor acted upon.

The lower end of outer rotary member 9 is provided with an outlet opening 18, conveniently formed by a tubular flange 19, this outlet 18 being to permit the outward movement or escape of the lighter elements after the heavier elements have been separated from them, as will hereafter be more fully explained. Furthermore the outer member 9 is preferably provided with an annular slot or opening 20, conveniently formed between the bottom of the cylindric: walls of member 9 and the bottom plate 13 of said member. This annular slot 20 is for the purpose of permitting the continuous escape of the heavier elements after separation has taken place, as will be more. fully explained hereafter.-

It is preferred that the outer member 9 and inner member 10 shallrotate with one another, and to such end arrangement is preferably made to this effect. For such purpose a rotary shaft 21 may be provided an to this shaft the inner rotary member 10 may be attached as by a flange or tubular porti0n.22, and by radial members 23 secured' by bolts to said shaft 21 and by flange 25 to said member 10. The outer member 9 -may be secured by radial members or vanes 26 extending between and connected with members 9 and 1f). Thus the rotation of shaft21 will cause the rotation of members 9 and 1() and furthermore the members or vanes 26 will have an effect in moving or rotating the material or fiuid under treatment as will be explained.

A pipe 28 is shown extending from the lower portion of the apparatus and this pipe may be used as an outlet pipe for the lighter elements of the material after separation. This pipe 28 may be connected centrally of the apparatus, below the center of the rota`ry Vmember 9. The bearing 29 may be provided, which will serve as the lower bearing for rotary shaft 21 and may also be provided with ducts or passages 30 through which the lighter separated elements may pass from outlet opening 18 to outlet pipe 28. The upper end of shaft 21 may be arranged in a seal 31, conveniently arranged in connection with inlet pipe 8. Shaft 21 is understood to be turned or rotated in any convenient manner, as by a driving motor, belt or other agency.

A by-pass arrangement is preferably provided between inlet pi e 8 and the interior of outer casing or houslng l, asby providing a pipe 32 one end of which communicates with interior of pipe 8 and the other end of which communicates with interior of housing 1. A valve 33 is preferably arranged in this pipe 32.

An arrangement for striking against the interior of outer rotary member 9 is also preferably provided, in order to loosen and dislodge particles of heavy matter such as dust or the like, which may become lodged on the inner wall of said member 9. One arrangement as shown comprises a rotary shaft or rod 35 extending substantially from top to bottom of housing 1 and having its upper end projecting above the said housing and provided with a handle 36 which may be operated to turn said rod 35. Strikers 37 are shown mounted on rod 35 and adapted to strike the exteriorof member 9, as said rod 35 is turned by handle 36.

Thev operation of this apparatus will be as follows: o

A flow of movement of thematerial or fluid to be treated may be caused in any suitable or preferred manner, as by suction or forcmg pressure. This movement will result in the flow of the current or stream of such mater1al or fluid in pipe 8, so that such material or fiuid will move through pipe 8 and into inlet 11a and into theinterior of outer hollow rotary member 9. Within this member, the stream of material or fluid will be defiected outwardly through passage 16 and it will then descend or move axially through passage 17. When within member 9 said material or fluid will be rot-ated by the rotation of mem.

bers 9 and 10 and the fluid or material will be held so4 as to move with said rotary members 9 and 10 b interposed members or vanes 26. Thus a owing stream after entering the apparatus, soon is spread out so as to fill the elongated cylindric passage between members 9 and 10 and soon is, therefore, rapidly rotated by the rotation of these members and the vanes between them. This rotation causes centrifugal action in the fluid or material and results in separation of the relatively heavy parts or elements from the relatively light ones. In the case of a stream of dust or particle laden air, the dust or particles' will be thrown outwardly so as to come more or less `in contact with the interior of the walls of member 9 and these particles will, to some smallextent, become attached to the interior of said wall, but will to a large extent, descend or move axially with the main movement of the stream of air downwardly through the cylindric passage 17(v lThus the desired centrifugal separating action takes place. The downwardly or axially moving lighter elements, as the air itself -in a dust separating apparatus, will continue and such lighter elements or the cleansed air, will continue downwardly and outwardly through outlet 18 and outlet pipe 28, by which it will be conveyed to any desired place.

The separated heavier elements, as for example the dust from a dust-laden current of air, will move downwardly or axially until it reaches the slot 20, at which time it will be thrown or ejected outwardly through said slot or ejection orifice, into the outer casing or housing 1. At intervals as. desired or found necessary, handle 36 may be actuated so as to cause a rapping or striking action on the outer separating member 9, thereby to cause the descent of the dust or heavy particles which may have attached themselves to the interior of member 9. Such dust or heavy particles will after ejection through slot or orifice 20, drop into hopper 5, from which it may be taken at intervals as desired by removing ca 7.

A centrifilgal separating action of this klnd I have found to be extremely convenient, reaching a, very high degree of eiciency in act uall operation, since by causing the centrifugal action by rotary centrifugal members, a degree 'of efiiciency and adaptability or. applcability of the action to various kconditions of service, large, small, and intermediate never before attained so far as I know by stationary separating melnbers, is secured.

Some equalization of pressure will be secured by pipe 32 and adjusting valve 33 and furthermore should any of the heavler separated mat-ter rise in easing 1, it may escape through pipe 32 and be returned into inlet pipe 8, through which it will be again intro` duced in the apparatus. Seal 38 1s interposed between rotating member 9 and stationary outlet member 30.

Referring to construction shown in Fig. 4, an outer housing or casting 1A, similar in purpose to tbe housing 1 of the previously described construction, is shown. The housing 1A is preferably conical, however, instead of being cylindrical as is the housing 1.

Supporting members 2 are also shown and a hopper 5 secured to the bottom of housing 1A.

`Within housing 1A are outer and inner rotary members 9A and 10A, and these members are preferably made conical to correspond with outer casing or housing 1A. These members 9A and 10A are preferably attached or secured to one another as by lintermediate vanes 26A and a plate 40, which latter is also secured to a rotary shaft 21A. The inner member 10A has its lower end terminated above the bottom plate 40 so as to form an inlet passage 41, and said member preferably has an upwardly extending tubular portion or extension 42 whose upper end communicates with a pipe 43 which in this case may be used as an outlet pipe for the lighter separated material.

A hollow member 44 is shown arranged above the separating members 9A and 10A, being conveniently mounted on the outer housing or casing 1A. This hollow member 42 may serve as an inlet for the incoming material or fluid to be treated, and to such end. said member 44 is preferably provided with a downwardly extending tubular member 45 which has a telescopic relation with `the upper end of rotary member 9A so as to introduce the incoming material or Huid into the rotary separating arrangement by way of the top of member 9A.

Thus, in the arrangement of Fig. 4, the general plan or method of construction and operation of the previously described apparatus is involved, but the incoming material or fluid is separated or deflected outwardly in a. more gradual manner by reason of a conical spects. In Fig. 5 the inflowingmaterial is shown coming through a pipe 47, which is at the top of the apparatus similar to the arrangement of Fig. 1 but the rotary elements 9B and 10B are conical in form, similar to the varrangement of Fig. 4. Also the heavy separated material passes out the bottom of the apparatus through outlet pipe 48 similarly to Fig. 1, instead of passing out the top, as in Fig. 4.

lt will be understood that changes and mmlilications may be made without departing from tbe spirit of the invention.

What l claim is: 1. An apparatus of the class specified having a rotary centrifucal separating member and rapping devices arranged outside of said member and. extending the entire length thereof and adapted to strike against the same.

2; An apparatus of the class specified havmga rotary centrifugal separating member rapping devices arranged outside of said member and adapted to strike against the same, an outer casing enclosing said member and also enclosing said rappingdevices, and means outside of said outer casing for actuating said rapping devices.

3. An apparatus of the class described having a rotor provided with an axially extending passage with imperforate longitudinal walls and having an ejector outlet in the outer wall at the far end of said passage, said rotor being enclosed in a mechanically closed casing provided With means for collecting and permitting the removal of the separated material in a dry condition.

4. An apparatus of the class specied comprising a rotary member having an axially extending separating passage provided with a peripheral discharge outlet at the far end of said passage for the heavy separated material and an axially extendingclosed casing enclosing the rotary member and receiving the heavy material having a mechanically closed bottom a1'- ranged transversely to the axis of rotation and rovided with an opening for the removal of) said discharged heavy material.

5. An apparatus of the class specified comprising a rotary member having an axially extending separating passage closed between its ends, said member also having a peripheral outlet at the far end of said passage for the discharge of heavy material separated in said passage and also having a light material discharge passage extending inward from discharged therefrom and the discharge end of said separating passage and an outer casing enclosing said rotary member and receiving the heavy material discharged from the rotary member, said casing having a mechanically closed iioor or bottom below the rotary member to receive the heavy material discharged therefrom.

6. An apparatus of the class specified comprising an inner rotary member and an outer mechanically closed casing enclosing the rotary member said rotary member having an axially extending separating passage and a peripheral discharge outlet at the far end of said passage for the discharge of heavy material separated in said passage and inlet and outlet pipes extending to the same end of the rotary member.

7. A dust collector of the centrifugal type having a rotor provided With an axially extending passage and having an ejector outlet in the outer Wall of said rotor at its greatest diameter, said rotor being enclosed in a mechanically Closed casing provided with means for collecting and permitting the removal of the separated material.

In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of April, A. D., 1928.

HARRY L. MILLS. 

